This 10-chapter book is intended to fill a need for a clearly written, easy to follow, introduction to computer programming that teachers or parents can immediately put to use. Its sample programs are designed to capture attention and spark the imagination of children learning to use computers. The first chapter provides such introductory information as to how to communicate with a computer, telling the computer what to do, and using step-by-step instructions. The next nine chapters focus on, respectively: printing on the screen; how to do mathematics on the computer; making the computer ask questions (using the INPUT statement); making decisions on the computer (including creating a mathematics game and a guessing game); making the computer repeat by using loops; animation on the screen; making pictures on the screen using graphics commands; working with words; and creating sounds on the computer and using peripheral equipment. Each chapter includes a list of concepts to stress. Two appendices are included. Since the programs used in the book are written for TRS-80 Models I, III, and IV, the first appendix contains information for users of other microcomputers. The second appendix shows how the 10 chapters can be organized into 24 teaching lessons, each lasting about one hour. (JN)